Isabelle M Guernsey

Isabelle Margaret Guernsey (Nee Napoli) Isabelle, age 98, was born December 24, 1920 in Crafton, Pennsylvania, one of six siblings of Lilian and Felix Napoli. All have predeceased her except for her older sister Virginia, who recently celebrated her 100 birthday. Isabelle passed away at Shannondell at Valley Forge, surrounded by her loving family, on March 12, 2019. Isabelle was married to Col. Louis Harold Guernsey, DDS, for 67 years before he predeceased her. They had four children, Jack, Nancy, Paula and Tod, who together with their spouses Sylvia, Bill, Gerry and Jeanne had 15 children (Brian, Meghan, Kristin, Kaitlin, Rick, Sara, Tracy, Andy, Matt, Jeremy, Chris, Lindsay, Danielle, Justin, and Cara) and they, with their spouses, have 19 great grandchildren. Isabelle was an indomitable force with an indomitable spirit, and always a lady. Her smile lit up the room and she always had a kind word for everyone. She was the first in her family to travel away from home to attend the Dental Hygienist Program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she met her husband who was attending dental school. Her college roommate called her “Wiz”, a nickname that stuck for life because she was so accomplished at anything she did. Isabelle and Lou moved to Idaho following their schooling and had three of their children before Louis accepted a commission in the US Army and the family began a life of new experiences and travel, wandering the globe as a military family, before they finally settled in the Philadelphia area. In spite of traveling far and wide Isabelle insisted that we stay close knit with our extended family in Pittsburgh, which has cemented our bonds with these family members over the years. Isabelle was a traditional wife who believed in the importance of raising her family and supporting her husband and his career. Family was the most important thing to her, and you became family as soon as you entered the family orbit. She was especially compassionate and had a special fondness for anyone who struggled or had challenges that they needed to overcome. Isabelle was a women of profound faith. She was an active congregant at St. Katherine of Sienna in Wayne, PA and active with the Shannondell clergy committee. She was the first person to volunteer to clean the church, polish candlesticks or cook meals for the clergy. When Pope John Paul visited Philadelphia, she turned over her home to the Marian community so they could participate in all of the festivities. In addition to her focus on her family, she was a born leader. She was the Mom who was the head of the school CCD program, the women’s clubs, the PTO and Girl Scouts. She was involved in community initiatives and in retirement, she and Louis were active antique car club members and participants in the Delaware Valley Antique Car Club. While she will be sorely missed by all who loved her, Isabelle has now gone to her deserved place with the angels and all those people she loved who went before her. A funeral mass will be held at St. Theresa of Avila,1260 Trooper Road, Audubon, PA on Saturday at 10 am. Visitation will be held at the church from 8:45 to 9:45 am. Internment will occur at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children.